Downstream of Tamsui River basin, Tamsui district, New Taipei City, Taiwan
34th place in Biotope Aquarium Design Contest 2019
Taiwan. Newt Jhuang
Volume: 189 L
Dimensions: 120x45x60 cm
List of fishes: Monodactylus argenteus, Hippichthys spicifer, Hypseleotris cyprinoides, Cypridopsis vidua
List of plants: Kandelia obovata
Description of decorations: Branches, roots, leaves and mud (all from mangroves),
Description of equipment: external filter: Tetra Ex Power 120 1240L/H, lighting: Up Aqua LEDLight Pro 40 color temperature 7000K
Water parameters: Temperature is 28°C, pH 8.2, Salinity 10‰
Additional info: With a large number of rivers and marine sediment, turbid waters
INFORMATION ABOUT BIOTOPE
Description of the area surrounding the biotope: The convergence area of Tamsui river and Keelung river is a mangrove ecosystem where is the habitat of Kandelia. Kandelia is a rare mangrove plant which habitat in the brackish water estuary and the substrate is muddy. The area of my aquarium is at the northern west of Taipei city. The environment is also the habitat of fish, shrimps, crabs and waterfowls.
Description of the underwater landscape of the biotope: The downstream of the Tamsui river is an estuary which collect the sediments from the river and the ocean. The substrate is usually muddy and full of fallen leaves. Mangrove plants grow on the muddy substrate with their roots above the water. A variety of fish and shrimps tend to hide in the mangrove plant roots as a shelter. Due to the mild salinity, fresh water fish and marine fish can be both found in mangrove ecosystem.
Description of the parameters of the habitat: The annual average water temperature is 22.2 celsius degree with 15 celsius degree in winter and 28.7 celsius degree in summer. The height above sea level is 0~10 meters. The rain precipitation is about 2100 mm.
List of fishes and invertebrates occurring in the nature biotope: Caridina formosae, Neocaridina ketagalan, Macrobrachium asperulum, Anguilla marmorata, Candidia barbata, Acrossocheilus paradoxus, Onychostoma barbatulum, Opsariichthys pachycephalus, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, Kuhlia marginata, Hippichthys spicifer, Hypseleotris cyprinoides, Rhinogobius candidianus, Rhinogobius gigas, Rhinogobius formosanus, Rhinogobius rubromaculatus, Sicyopterus japonicus, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Ambassis miops, Terapon jarbua, Monodactylus argenteus, Scatophagus argus, Eleotris fusca, Eleotris acanthopoma, Glossogobius aureus
List of plants found in the nature biotope: Kandelia obovata
Threats to the ecology: Because this area is located at the downstream of Tamsui river in city, there are bunch of trash and undissolved garbage are pile up in this environment. Besides, local residents overfishing cause threats to the mangrove environment.
Sources of information:
https://np.cpami.gov.tw/%E9%
https://gd-park.org.tw/about/
https://www.travelking.com.tw/
http://eip.ymsnp.gov.tw/UD/
http://fishdb.sinica.edu.tw/
http://fishdb.sinica.edu.tw/